Theft-proof shower head



Oct. 2, 1956 A. M. CHIMBOLE 3,765,197

THEFT-PROOF SHOWER HEAD Filed June 20, 1955 IN VEN-T 0R. Ava/ow M xmwaou Jam e 15 United States THEFT-PROOF SHOWER HEAD Anthony M. Chimbole, Glendale, Califi, assignor to All American Mfg. Co., Los Angeles, Cfif.

Application June 20, 1955, Serial No. 516,480

3 Claims. (Cl. 29959) The present invention relates generally to shower heads and more particularly to a novel theft-proof shower head.

Conventional shower heads are so constructed that they may be readily unscrewed from their mounting. Each year the owners of public lodging establishments, such as hotels, motels, apartments and the like, report the theft of numerous conventional shower heads by tenants. The monetary amount of such pilferage when taken cumulatively is considerable.

It is the major object of the present invention to provide a shower head which is completely theft-proof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a theftproof shower head which includes unique provisions for cleaning out its interior.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a theft-proof shower head which may be manufactured at a price comparable to conventional shower heads.

Another object is to provide a theft-proof shower head of the aforedescribed nature which is simple in design and rugged of construction whereby it may afford a long and useful service life.

An additional object is to provide a theft-proof shower head of the aforedescribed nature which may readily replace conventional shower head fixtures.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View taken partly in central cross-section showing a preferred form of theftproof shower head embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary showing of the shower head of Figure 1 disposed in a position to be cleaned out; and,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary central sectional view of an alternate form of theft-proof shower head embodying the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, for a detailed description of the preferred form of theft-proof shower head S embodying the present invention, such head includes an extension, generally designated 10, securable at its rear end to a source of water and formed at its front end with a hollow ball member, generally designated 12. A socket member, generally designated 14, is adjustably carried by the ball member 12. Spray forming apertures 16 are formed at the front of the socket member and normally closed clean-out means 18 is formed on the ball member. With this arrangement, the socket member 14 may be freely adjusted relative to the ball member 12 so as to control the direction of the water spray. At the same time, however, the socket member 14 cannot be removed by a would-be thief.

More particularly, the extension includes a horizontal section 20 which is formed at its rear end with threads 22. These threads 22 are adapted to be tightened within the front end of a water conduit 24 disposed within a wall 26. A conventional annular metal shield 2% is interposed between the face of the wall 26 and the rear portion of the extension section 29. The front section 30 of the ex- 2,765,197 Fatented Oct. 2, 1956 tension 10 is angled downwardly and forwardly and the hollow ball member 12 is integrally formed at the lower end thereof. A coaxial water opening 32 is formed at the front end of the ball member 12.

The socket member 14 is preferably formed with a hollow bead 34 around its rear end. A resilient sealing ring 36 formed of rubber or the like is disposed Within this head 34 so as to provide a water-tight seal between the rear end of the socket member and the ball member. A coaxial forwardly extending spray-forming element 37 is formed on the front portion of the socket member 12. The front end of this element is closed by a Wall 38 wherein are formed a plurality of spray apertures 16. Preferably, a generally hemispherical friction element 42 is interposed between the ball and socket members. This friction element 42 is formed with a coaxial water opening 44 that is aligned with the coaxial water opening 32 of the ball member 12.

The clean-out means 18 employed with the preferred embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 consists of an opening formed through one side of the ball member 12. with this arrangement, as shown in Figure 1, the clean-out opening 18 will be blocked by the socket member 14 during normal operation of the shower head. Referring now to Figure 2, at such time as it becomes desirable to clean-out the interior of the shower head, the socket member 14 is tilted upwardly until the clean-out opening 18 is unblocked. The spray apertures 16 are then covered as by a users thumb and water is admitted into the shower head. Any foreign matter contained within the interior of the shower head will then be forced outwardly through the unblocked clean-out opening 13. At the conclusion of the clean-out operation the socket member 12 may be returned to its original position.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown an alternate form of shower head S embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment includes an extension 10', a ball member 12 and a socket member 14 similar to those shown in the preferred embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The clean-out means utilized with this form of the invention, however, consists of a threaded opening 50 formed through one wall of the cylindrical element 36' of the ball member and a threaded plug 52 which is removably disposed within this clean-out opening 56. With this form of the invention a clean-out operation is performed by first removing the threaded plug 52. Thereafter, the users thumb may be employed to seal the spray apertures 16'. Water is then admitted into the shower head and any foreign matter contained therein will be flushed outwardly through the cleanout opening 59. At the conclusion of the clean-out operation, the plug 52 is replaced.

While there has been shown and described herei'nbefore What is presently considered to be the preferred and one alternate embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A theft-proof shower head, comprising: an extension securable at its rear end to a source of water; a hollow ball member formed at the front end of said extension; a socket member adjustably carried by said ball member; abutment means interposed bet 'een said ball member and said socket member retaining said socket member on said ball member but permitting said socket member to be tilted upon said ball member; a water opening formed in said ball member; spray-forming means formed on said socket member; and, a clean-out opening formed through said ball member in a position wherein it will normally be blocked by said socket member but will be uncovered when the latter is tilted through a predetermined angle relative to said ball member.

2. A theft-proof shower head, comprising: an extension securable at its rear end-to a source of water; a hollow ball member formed at the front end of said extension and having a hollow bead around its rear end; a resilient sealing ring disposed within said bead; a socket member adjustably carried by said ball member; a Water opening formed in the front of said ball member; spray-forming means formed on said socket member; and, a clean-out opening formed through said ball member in a position wherein it will normally be blocked by said socket member but will be uncovered when the latter is tilted through a predetermined angle relative to said ball member.

3. A theft-proof shower head, comprising: an extension securable at its rear end to a source of water; ahollow ball member formed at the front end of said extensionand having a coaxial opening formed at its front end; a socket member adjustably carried by said ball member and having a hollow head around its rear end; a resilient sealing ring disposed within said head; a coaxial forwardly extending spray-forming element formed on said socket member; a Wall covering the front of said spray-forming element; a

plurality of spray apertures formed through said wall; a generally hemispherical friction element interposed between said members and formed with a coaxial opening aligned with that of said ball member; and, a clean-out opening formed through said ball member in a position wherein it will normally be blocked by said socket member but will be uncovered when the latter is tilted through a predetermined angle relative to said ball member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 588,262 Boekel Aug. 17, 1897 763,269 Ellis Ian. 21, 1904 1,056,811 McElroy Mar. 25, 1913 2,063,084 Farnon Dec. 8, 1936 2,196,783 Shook Apr. 9, 1940 2,281,499 Herzbrun Apr. 28, 1942 2,583,232 Russell Jan. 22, 1952 2,688,515 Filliung Sept. 7, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 815,058 France Apr. 5, 1937, 

